Forestdale Park shows commitment to LGBTQ seniors

  Forestdale Park Senior Living is proud to have earned the Platinum accreditation level from SAGECare, an organization that provides LGBTQ Cultural Competency training and consulting to service providers. In earning their Platinum credential, Forestdale Park has trained at least 80% of their staff to enhance care and support for LGBTQ residents.

  SAGECare is a division of SAGE, the country’s oldest and largest nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBT older adults. SAGECare’s accreditation process involved an in-person training geared toward Forestdale Park’s team of managers, paired with a training module for their frontline associates.

  As a result, Forestdale Park’s staff across all departments have been trained on the importance of maintaining a welcoming and inclusive community, with special emphasis on the unique challenges that the aging LGBTQ population faces. Completing this training is a key step toward the Senior Living community’s goal of building a welcoming environment of support and acceptance for LGBTQ residents and celebrating all aspects of their identities.

  Forestdale Park and SAGECare will continue to work together to provide the best possible quality of life for LGBTQ residents. SAGECare’s education also extends to the community’s workplace culture, as practicing the values of acceptance and inclusivity can empower staff to celebrate their own unique identities.

  Forestdale Park Executive Director Terri Guenard is excited to work these new practices into daily life at the community. “The education SAGECare has given us is so valuable, and what we’ve learned has really helped us gain a deeper understanding of the issues and concerns that LGBTQ seniors face. We are committed to using what we’ve learned to foster an even more inclusive and welcoming community for everyone.”

  It is estimated that there are currently around three million LGBTQ older adults in the United States, and that number is expected to grow to around seven million by 2030 (SAGECare).